I'M ALIVE…. I leave you guys hanging way too much don't I? Gomen'nasai for that. :[ but here's your chapter! Life was just reminding me why this is my last major story for a little while… (way too busy…) Okay, here's nineteen everyone! And a notice, officially, chapter 20 is the last chapter of this story. So be looking out for it after this one. Thanks for staying with me so long everyone of you supporters!
oooo
"That boy"… it's that boy… the words sunk into the mind of the raven as his eyes dug deep into the onyx abysmal orbs that belonged to his mother. The words were like a song, resonated in his mind—singing in a droned tune of subdued hatred. It was a stilled hatred—one that had remained even after thirteen years of absence. Perhaps as absence made the heart grow stronger in love, made the heart grow stronger in hatred: Sasuke's musing led him to accept that very obvious fact about his mother.
Mikoto's eyes looked the man, from top to bottom then right back up. Displeasure spread over her features, clouding her beauty with wrinkles of contempt. She drew in a sharp breath. "Son," her attention switched over to Itachi, "you said Kakashi would be coming." She spoke plainly, taken aback by her eldest son's lie. Itachi, unfazed, responded with professionalism:
"Indeed, but there was a change of plans; it seems that my little brother had chosen to bring another of much more enjoyable company with him."
"'Little brother'?" Fugaku snorted, giving Sasuke a glare of his own. "He is not your brother. He is an accident child—one who should not exist. He is no son of mine. I thought you knew that, Itachi." He looked at his son harshly, displeased with what he saw as rash actions. "How could you possibly—"
"Ahem," Sasuke cleared his throat loudly, staring at both his parents dully. Once completing his interruption, he began his statement: "I do realize you both hate the fact, but I do exist, and I expect to be treated as such. Now if you have something to say to me, take your liberty." He opened the way for them to express their feelings. However, he was quite proud of himself for standing up to them in such a way. Any sort of fear that had been with him was removed. He had Sakura with him, and Itachi was on his side.
A slight gasp slipped through Mikoto's feminine lips. The boldness of speech, the strong, authoritative voice, the placidity of an Uchiha—these were elements that Sasuke had never possessed through the years that they had spent with him before they departed for Tokyo. Fugaku scowled at his youngest son, who he didn't really consider as such: Sasuke was a Hatake to Fugaku, not an Uchiha. Despite the Uchiha-like qualities that Sasuke had obviously received throughout the years spent with the Hatake and the adopted Karin, Sasuke would and will always be a Hatake.
Sasuke's suggestion went unanswered, and the family and Sakura settled themselves around the table, awkward fire of hatred sputtering out in a flurry of unsaid emotions. Sakura could feel the heat and the obvious tension. She fiddled nervously with the table cloth underneath the table. Truthfully, she was even somewhat nervous to hold Sasuke's hand—it wasn't that he wouldn't allow her, but rather it was that he might squeeze her hand subconsciously harder from his current state of anger.
Food was being consumed in utter silence, only a gentle clang of fork or knife meeting plate was heard in the eerie silence. Sakura could feel her heart pounding hard in her chest—she could feel the eyes of both Mikoto and Fugaku shifting from her to Sasuke continuously in slow motions. Her emerald eyes veered up towards her fiancé: he was ignoring the stares, but she could tell that he knew what was going on.
Itachi could feel the tension. Being a man of many words, he didn't like apparent silence—especially due to a plan he had commenced. However, he had mentally prepared himself for a situation similar to this, but his plan included the presence of Kakashi Hatake, who also couldn't do with much silence. Itachi shifted uncomfortably in his seat, clearing his throat. All eyes turned towards him, and after a barely noticeable pause, he began his sentence: "I was hoping that we could discuss past matters with my little brother," he gave his attention strictly to his parents, his peripheral vision catching a displeased eye from Sasuke.
"What about a current matter: who is the girl?" Mikoto sniffed; apparently she had been waiting to address that topic for some time now. Sakura shifted in her seat, her stomach clenching as her nerves tensed up. She felt Sasuke's hand lightly hold hers, giving it a gentle and comforting squeeze. Her nerves were eased slightly, but she still had an ever present lump in her throat.
"My fiancé, Haruno Sakura," Sasuke spoke with pride, the name rolling off his tongue professionally. Itachi shot a look of surprise in Sasuke's way, but it went unheeded. The Uchiha knew exactly what he had done: he had made known his love for a commoner in the presence of his parents. Sakura's heart pounded. Sometimes I wish he was a liar… she bit her bottom lip as she looked towards the Uchiha parents for some sort of reaction. Mikoto's eyes were widened in horror, a silent gasp escaping her lips.
An apparent hatred was clouding the woman's onyx orbs, but it was nothing compared to the eyes of Fugaku Uchiha. Fire danced in seething rage, contempt, and displeasure in his deep, coal eyes. His attention was focused on both the raven and the pinkette simultaneously, an equal amount of infuriation being distributed through his eyes. "So they had a child," his deep voice shook Sakura's spine, chills racing up as her shoulders straightened. Displeasure spread throughout his countenance and his eyes veered over to Sasuke. "I will not allow it."
"I am not under your wing," Sasuke countered, narrowing his eyes. "Hatake-sensei is my caretaker and my father figure, and he approves of it." Fugaku stiffened his shoulders.
"And you think that will overrule my authority as your father?"
"You weren't my father ten minutes ago," Sasuke spat sarcastically, obviously annoyed by the man. "Your power as one of the rich cannot overrule mine as a Hatake and an Uchiha—accident child or not. I am in Konoha, you are in Tokyo. We live in two separate worlds."
"One in which Uchiha still have power, due to your cousin Karin," his father countered, accepting the back and forth confrontation that they had commenced. "Therefore my power is still relevant."
"You can't possibly think an adoptive member has more power than the blood line; that's foolishness," Sasuke allowed a slight smile curve the corner of his lips. Itachi could feel the tension rising at an extraordinary rate, and it did not seem "friendly" to say the least. Sakura tugged Sasuke's sleeve, silently begging him to end the confrontation, but he ignored her, and continued to exchange words that were rapidly aggravating an argument.
"Excuse my interruption," Itachi finally spoke up in an authoritative, strong tone. "But the entire conversation, with all due respect, is pointless. Father, Sasuke is a man and ultimately, who he marries is his decision; Sasuke, please… try to be more patient," Itachi knew there was nothing more he could say to Sasuke. Although his snarky comments were purposely spewing out from the younger raven's mouth, he couldn't help but feel a burning hatred for his family. Itachi pinched his lips together, a sigh slipping from his nostrils.
Sakura let her relief ease out of her lungs in a silent sigh. The tension was waning down back to the normal awkward silence that had preceded it. She wanted to breathe—or perhaps whisper to her fiancé under her breath, but the silence would allow both those things to be heard. She felt as if she was going to turn blue any minute by how much breath she was holding in. I expected yelling and anger—not this deadly silence… she swallowed hard, hoping no one heard that action. Her eyes glanced around at her surroundings: Mikoto was eyeing her dangerously. I feel like all the girls hate me… Sakura mused, shifting uncomfortably in her seat.
"Kakashi told us you played piano at the Hyuga Estate," Fugaku interrupted the silence, giving his younger son his rare attention. Sasuke straightened his shoulders, knowing exactly what would follow that statement: disapproval.
"Indeed, I did," he replied. "I'm also teaching music at a college in Konoha." Fugaku's lip curled in a show of disgust. Music? A being that came from two undeniably rich people such as himself and Mikoto was bred a useless musician? And to make matters worse, this worthless child was embracing that so called "talent" of his? It was unacceptable.
"I do not approve," his father snorted simply.
"I do not care," Sasuke retorted, copying the monotone voice of his father with mockery. Sakura felt herself breathe in a sharp breath, and her fingers curled in nervous fists. Her fiancé was rapidly losing his temper, and the environment he was in was doing him no good whatsoever. Desperately, she glanced over at Itachi, her eyes begging him to act as a mediator.
Itachi, who seemed to be the calmest amongst the men in the house, was quietly watching the two interact, his hands folded neatly in front of his face. He did not look amused, but rather disturbed. "Father, music is a very valid business." Sakura subdued her gasp. He's taking a side?! How on earth will that help? She sweat dropped and hung her head, her pink bangs covering her eyes.
"A valid business? How so? Because he can spend his time copying other's actual talent in performances—disgracing the Uchiha name by those performances in lower class families?" Rage seethed out the voice of Fugaku, and it only intensified when he saw the eyes of Sasuke Uchiha Hatake dancing with flames of an accepted challenge.
"I thought I was no son of yours," Sasuke commented on the statement previously made, folding his hands on the table and leaning in towards his father. There was no way he would give in to letting this argument fall away. He was done sitting back and taking the heat—it was time his parents felt a bit of heat of their own. "How, then, can I ever expect to disgrace the Uchiha name?" Fugaku glared at the young raven, his eyes switching to their Sharingan state for a split second as his infuriation grew. Mikoto lightly placed her hand on the arm of her husband, relaxing him slightly, but anger remained to twist his features.
"I have heard Sasuke play, father, and it is quite heavenly," Itachi addressed his parent, clearly his throat slightly as he tried to keep the conversation at a more civil level than it was progressing at. "And it disgraces the family name in no way whatsoever. He is a true genius." Sakura managed a proud smile as her eyes turned to her fiancé; he truly was a genius—a very handsome genius, but a genius nonetheless. Mikoto's eyes leered at her eldest son.
"Are you denying your father, my son?" Her voice droned in an obvious disapproval, causing the man to flinch, only slightly.
"Never," he responded with simplicity, having regained his train of thought. "I am only expressing to father what I have experienced myself. After all, he has never heard Sasuke play."
"Then he should play," Mikoto snapped, barely allowing Itachi time to finish his sentence. Her eyes veered over to her youngest son, staying awhile as contempt sputtered out of the onyx orbs. Sasuke looked back at her, his eyes lacking any love that a son should feel towards a mother. There was no emotional connection between them—nothing positive, only a never dying tie of hatred. He should have never been born is what he thought in his earlier years, and she should have never allowed him to be born is what she still thought in current years.
Itachi looked over to the raven, who was sitting quietly in his chair. He looked for some sort anger or approval from the comment his mother had just made, but the man just sat there simply, his hands folded neatly in front of him. He didn't seem to have any of the qualms he earlier had when asked to play. Was he comfortable? Hardly… Itachi mused. Sasuke was just too uncomfortable to counter with his obvious displeasure.
No more was said at the dinner table; the simplicity of the silence swept eerily through the room until all were completed with their meals.
oooo
"Sasuke?" Sakura whispered to him as he recollected himself in their room before heading downstairs to play the regal instrument. Without looking over at her, he breathed in a sharp breath.
"Please, Sakura, not now. I don't want to snap at you," he subdued his annoyed tone as he continued to calm his nerves. Sakura flinched and frowned sadly. This must be really hard for him… Lightly, she placed her hand on his tense arm, looking into his onyx orbs with a comforting gleam in her own emerald ones. A silent sigh eased out his lips as he ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry… this is why I brought you—because you're always so good to me; I really don't deserve it…" he mumbled, a frown curving his placid lips downward. Before Sakura could counter what her emotionally down fiancé said, her eyes darted over to the door when she heard someone enter: it was Itachi.
"I apologize for not knocking…" Itachi quietly murmured his apology. "But, Sasuke, you don't have to play…" he frowned at his younger brother with pity in his eyes. "Honestly, I apologize for their behavior—"
"Don't," Sasuke held his hand up. "I was equally wrong. I shouldn't have said the things I did, and this is my consequence: to play before their ears. I'm… creating the song in my mind—please, give me a moment…" his voice trailed off as he entered a deep state of mind, almost a trance. Sakura and Itachi watched him with interest, but Sakura's was far more intense. He can just… create a song like that?! Her eyes widened: he truly was a genius—even more that she had given him credit for.
"Little sister," Itachi addressed Sakura in a hushed tone, causing her to blush. Yes, she and Sasuke would be married soon, and technically she would be his little sister in some sense, but hearing it so early on was somewhat embarrassing. "I'm going to go back downstairs and hopefully buy time for Sasuke," he explained as he turned to the door. Sakura gave him a quick nod and wave as he walked out the room. Her attention was quickly refocused to the rave: Sasuke Uchiha.
At this point, was it even right to refer to him as Uchiha? What does he consider himself? She wondered, her mind taking her back to the arguments at the dinner table only about a half hour earlier. He had called himself a Hatake, but he had also referred to himself as one of the Uchiha, saying he was in the bloodline. Did he think of himself as an equal mix of both families, or one or the other? A sigh eased from her lips. She didn't think she would ever know, but perhaps the feud with his family would shed some light on things—perhaps after he played the piano, things would begin to unfold themselves.
"I think I'm ready," Sasuke stated simply, interrupting her thoughts and causing her to jump.
"Oh—okay," she smiled sweetly, and leaned on his arm, allowing his to encircle her waist endearingly. They both walked downstairs calmly, the tension overcoming Sasuke's being had earlier left from the touching affectionate woman whom had become his fiancé a year earlier.
He knew what kind of song he would play: it was a similar concept to a song that he had played three years ago. It was a song that would portray his emotion, only there was nothing positive to play at the end this time: there was no tone of love to dramatize the song in a positive flurry of emotion and passion. This song was full of hurt, contempt, and untrusting. There was only one positive note in this song: the tone that would take on the compassion that Itachi had shown him after thirteen years of complete silence.
Sasuke drew in a sharp breath, his onyx orbs darting across the room, examining it in intense detail. His eyes stood on the coal black piano, admiring the beauty of the instrument he would soon be sitting in front of, playing it freely and expressing himself in the best way he knew of: through music. It was his passion, and it was something he understood without flaw. Would they understand the true "words" behind his piece of art? He doubted it. The only one person who could possibly understand was Haruno Sakura: his beloved. Then again… he changed his state of thought. Perhaps Itachi could understand now that he was attempting to make amends with him. This could be some sort of test… he mused, but shook off the thought. At this point, there was absolutely no reason not to trust Itachi—even after all these years.
Menacing eyes from Fugaku and Mikoto focused on the raven as he gracefully slipped into the seat of the piano, placidity overcoming his appearance to a full. Silently, he motioned for his future wife to take a seat beside him; he had grown more comfortable playing with her at his side. It was a form of encouragement and comfort: he also seemed to play more flawlessly when she was at his side. He breathed in slowly, his eyes looking up to his older brother. A small smile was curving Itachi's lips upward in an encouraging look of "you can do it". Sasuke smiled back. He's feeling more and more like a big brother—like someone who cares… he fought the tears that threatened to trickle down his eyes.
Hanging his head, his bangs covered the trail of tears staining his cheeks. He snapped his eyelids shut and instinctively placed his fingers on the keys. They pressed in gently, the song beating softly in the ears of its listeners. Something eerie and depressing lingered in every note, sending chills to run up and down the spines of the audience. Sakura placed her hand lightly on her chest, fisting a small portion of the fabric of her dress in her hand. She could feel it: the pain, the anguish, the torturous emotion Sasuke was releasing in every touch of the keys.
Harder—and the drama reverberated around the large room, ribbons of emotion twisting and tying around those surrounding the musical raven. He chewed on his bottom lip, biting back sobs. He could feel his hands shaking as he pushed in one key after the other, harder and harder, the notes coming out clear and perfect. Tears tugged themselves out of his closed eyelids, tapping on the white keys of the piano, occasionally wetting his fingers as they glided across.
Itachi could feel his heart pounding within his chest. This song—this music that was unique to Sasuke's own skill, sent chills of feelings to course throughout his entire being, from mental to physical. Chills ran up his spine, memories clouded his mind: painful memories. "Big brother! I love you!" Sasuke would grin up at him through tears of obvious torture, loneliness, and hurt. Itachi's fist clenched as he felt himself shaking from the very core of his body. Nothing could compare to what he had put his brother through—and yet why did that little boy continue to love him? "I don't want to exist, Itachi…" He had heard Sasuke breathe those words lowly the day that he left for Tokyo, and it burned his conscience and his heart.
Tears of remorse stained the cheeks of the elder brother of Sasuke Uchiha, and he made no attempt to hide them. Why should he? How many tears had Sasuke shed in his childhood—in his lifetime, all because he was a selfish mongrel to his one sibling? Itachi knew he didn't deserve forgiveness—not after thirteen years of fearful silence: not after all the agony that he had put his dear, little brother through for his own selfish desires. Who needs money when your own family forces you into business and shoots down your dreams? Who needs money when it makes you bitter—so bitter that you hate your little sibling who got to follow his dreams because no one cared about him?
Itachi had originally been jealous of Sasuke's "freedom", and therefore treated him as he felt correct, but he was so wrong. Sasuke was suffering—Sasuke was still suffering. Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha had pulled Itachi out of his dreams of acting and shoved their youngest son out of their family. What was worse? Sasuke… Itachi spoke in his mind, his bottom lip quivering only slightly as he tried to at the very least keep his composure.
The song calmed to a gentle tune once more, on a higher key, and yet lacking the eeriness it had earlier contained. There was something comforting—something reassuring in the tone chosen. Sakura watched the fingers of her fiancé quiver gently as he maintained a skillful glide across the keys. She could tell he was fighting the urge to just scream out, saying whatever first came into his mind. She could tell that the first thing in his mind was to just cry and let out all his pent up anger, hurt, and pain—and, perhaps even forgiveness.
Her eyes veered over to the faces of the parents: Fugaku, remaining unchanged, but Mikoto looked as if she felt something… something she had never felt before towards her little son. Was it love—or was it just pity? Sakura recognized the softer tone of the song to be a reference to Itachi: Sasuke had forgiven him, and he trusted him now—even without seeing the emotions coursing throughout Itachi's entire being.
Sasuke breathed in a sharp breath and ended the song abruptly, looking up to the ceiling. There was no real ending—it was sudden and uncalled for. Itachi looked at him strangely, but Sakura knew what was going on: he couldn't finish the song. Sasuke, you don't know how you feel about your parents, do you…? Sakura mused, frowning remorsefully as she eyed her fiancé as he wiped still wet tears from his cheeks and eyes. "What is the meaning of this?" Fugaku crossed his arms over his chest, his coal orbs dangerously focused on the young raven.
A broken placidity was overcoming Sasuke in a harsh aura. He felt no peace, no comfort—he couldn't lie. He couldn't finish a song with an emotion he didn't know was true or not. He couldn't just neglect the feelings coursing throughout his body and mind. "I can't finish…" he answered simply, his voice hushed to cover the quiver from his tears. Mikoto broke out in tears and embraced her son suddenly. His eyes jumped open, and he pulled back only slightly from surprise.
"M—Mother…." Sasuke breathed in a silent whisper. What was that just now? Did he really just call her "mother"? He swallowed hard, not daring to hold her back. Her grip around him tightened as she looked up at her son—her youngest son.
"I…I'm so… sorry…" she spoke through broken sobs, attempting to control the tears pouring down her face. "I can't even explain—I have no excuse, no reason for how I treated you…! I don't deserve to see you; I don't deserve your forgiveness—but I'm… I'm so… sorry…" she continued to mumble incoherent sentences as she sobbed on her son's shoulder. Sasuke could feel his heart pounding. "I… I'm so… sorry…" she's what…? He was still stuck on her first sentence as his arms instinctively encircled his mother. She's… sorry. Was that even possible? Tears rolled down his eyes.
"I forgive you…" he mumbled just as lowly as her sentences. Her eyes shot open and she looked up at her son.
"You… do?" He pinched his lips together, watching her face glow in disbelief. A gentle, slow nod followed his constant stare on her features: it was almost as if he was looking into a mirror. She was crying just as hard as he was, her facial structure and charcoal hair perfectly matched to his own. This was truly his mother.
Sakura and Itachi watched in equal disbelief, but smiles overcame their own joyfully saddened faces. The undying emotion of remorse clung to the air as if it were one with it. "Sasuke…" Sakura breathed out between her lips, sighing his name gratefully. He looked so touched—so moved; she couldn't help but clutch tighter to her dress. Itachi placed his hand on her shoulder in a brotherly manner, looking down at her.
"Not just him… you too." Sakura smiled up at her "brother". It was really like family, wasn't it? She looked back over to her fiancé as he and his mother slowly broke away from their embrace, mumbling incoherent words to each other. The only thing that remained unchanged was the face of utter disapproval from Fugaku Uchiha: he would never snap—he would never regret. He looked disturbed by his own wife's actions as he tipped his head up pompously. Mikoto returned to her husband's side, continuing to rub her swollen eyes.
oooo
The day and deed were done: it was time for Sasuke and Sakura to head back over to Konoha. I can't believe we packed so much and we're leaving so soon… Sakura mused as she packed her own and Sasuke's things back in their suitcases, shoving some of her belongings in his suitcases with more room. She looked over to the raven, who was sitting solemnly on the bed. He looked in intense thought; she hadn't talked to him since he had finished playing the piano and made amends with his mother. Something about the silence was necessary, but she was aching to speak with him. "Sasuke…?" She whispered only loud enough for him to hear if he was listening for it.
"Hn?" He immediately looked over to her, his focus broken from her voice saying his name.
"Are you doing all right…?" She walked over to him, lightly placing her hand on his shoulder. He nodded silently, not seeming to want to talk very much, but rather listen. "I love you…" Sakura smiled softly, planting a gentle kiss on his pale cheek.
"I love you too…" he mumbled back, kissing her forehead softly. "I'm sorry… I'm just… I don't know…" his voice trailed off, his eyes veering up towards the ceiling. "I love my family… I've never felt this way—this strongly. It's so powerful it almost hurts…" he bit back the rest of his sentence; what if something were to happen to them? He cared more than ever now. It would hurt—it would be agonizing beyond comprehension.
"Don't think about things like that…" Sakura frowned, reading his facial expression perfectly, stroking her fingers through his hair. "You have them now… you have a family again, right…?" She smiled, leaning on his arm. He nodded silently, a small smile curving his lips. After a few more moments of conversing, Sasuke aided Sakura and helped her pack their things back into the suitcases.
They both made their way downstairs, a few servants helping them with their overload of luggage. "You all don't have to leave you know…" Itachi frowned, meeting them at the doorway. Sasuke smiled, now in better moods, and sighed harshly.
"That is true, but I have things to do back at the college. Even through Christmas break there's still so many things for the professors to do and that unfortunately includes me," he mumbled, running his fingers through his charcoal mop. Itachi chuckled and shrugged loosely. He turned his attention to his parents, who were descending from the grand staircase. "Are they seeing me off…?" Sasuke whispered lowly.
"I believe so… perhaps mother. Father is still… upset." Sasuke nodded curtly, only those beside him able to notice that his head even moved. When the two older adults made their way to the two ravens and the pinkette, they looked at them each steadily, Fugaku's stares menacing rather than remorseful.
"What did you call us here for, Itachi?" Fugaku spoke coldly, his tone unwavering. Sasuke lifted his brow and his eyes darted over to his mischievous older brother. I thought he didn't know why they were coming down… he mused, watching the impish glint dance in Itachi's onyx orbs.
"I am to be the new head of the Uchiha family when I fully take over the business," Itachi started, clearing his throat slightly. "And with that… we never finished our discussion about their marriage." He motioned his hand at Sasuke and Sakura, the pinkette was blushing furiously. What would their wedding be like? No, focus! What's Itachi mean? She wondered, refocusing her attention. "I know you, father, do not approve of them, but however, I do," he continued. "And as family tradition, Sasuke, you have my blessing," he smiled at his younger brother, planting a short, brotherly kiss on Sasuke's forehead as a sign of his blessing.
Sasuke looked up at Itachi, a grateful river flowing in his onyx orbs. "Thank you, brother."
oOoOo
Ah… that took for freaking ever. O_o I feel so… weird… it's weird to think that this story is coming to a close in the very next chapter even to me. It was so fun to write and to hear you all react and everything like that. :] You all rock! You've graced me with so many reviews, favoriting, following—I'm glad you all are interested enough to stick around and drop by to read my work. I hope you'll enjoy the following chapter. I'll be working on it. In the mean time, don't forget to R&R! Arigatogozaimasu for your support.
InaGaTa